4/14/2010

On March 17, 2010 I had my annual doctor's appointment, and I told her a few of the symptoms that I had been experiencing as of late. She was doing her routine exam and gasped when she felt the large lump in my throat that I was telling her about. She decided it would be in my best interest to get an ultrasound and have some blood work done. so the very next day I headed back up to Utah Valley Hospital and had several viles of blood drawn. Then on Monday my husband came with me to have a ultrasound done on my throat. The ultrasound showed that I had numerous cyst's growing on the right side of my throat, and that the one on my left was a cyst that was too big for comfort. So then I was referred over to a Otolarynologist (Ear Nose and Throat) Specialist to have my throat looked at. They got me right in and I didn't want my husband to miss any work so I went by myself. They did another ultrasound on my throat and the doctor was stunned by how large the cyst on the left side was. He told me that I had two choices, to either have it biopsied or have my thyroid partially or completely removed. I thought it was a little ridiculous to have my thyroid removed so I told him I would take the biopsy. Thinking I would have to schedule yet another appointment, but nope instead Dr.Riddle pulled out a extremely large needle. My eyes must of gotten really big, and he just reassured me that it would be over before I knew it. He drew the needle into the cyst 3 times and pulled out 10 cc's of fluid and then they sent it off to the lab to check for cancer cells. I waited four days to get a phone call saying the test came back inconclusive and they did not have enough evidence to call in cancer. And to top it off the lump in my neck had already filled back up with fluid! So we (me and my husband) decided to have a fast. We spent the weekend in a lot of prayer trying to decide what would be the best decision for us. On Monday we went back into the office not sure what to expect. Dr.Riddle wasn't too pleased about the lab results that they had gotten back, and that the lump had already returned (he thought it would take at LEAST 4-6 weeks to fill back up). So now we still have the two choices to be biopsied every other week till it goes away, or have my thyroid removed. We sat down and both knew that the right choice for me was to have my thyroid removed COMPLETELY not partially. I will have a 3-4 inch scar across my neck and have to take a pill everyday for the rest of my life. During the surgery they will take part of the thyroid down to the lab to see if it has cancer in it. They scheduled my appointment for two weeks, and they it could be up to 6 weeks until I will get back on my feet. I've had super really weird dreams the past few nights and I just hope that we can get through this as a family. I pray that my children will never have to go through what I did growing up. I know that the Lord knows what is best for me and I am so grateful for his guidance. Phil gave me a beautiful priesthood bless when we found out all about this and I now know that I just need to trust in the Lord. I have such great friends and family who have been so willing to help me out with my children and meals. I feel so blessed right now for that!